To increasing substitute teacher pay.

The Albert Lea school board on Monday voted to change the payment structure for substitute teachers. The new payment structure includes three tiers.

The first tier, at $110 per day, is for substitutes who have subbed in the district for fewer than 240 hours in the previous semester. The second tier, at $120 per day, is for teachers who worked more than 240 hours in the district in the previous semester or for substitutes who are retired licensed teachers from Albert Lea Area Schools. The added third tier is an added step up for tier two teachers who worked 240 hours in the previous semester.

We hope these changes attract more substitute teachers and help retain them, too.

 

To Albert Lea’s Rotary Club.

Thanks for continuing the cleanup at Eastgate Park in memory of longtime Rotarian Earl “Jake”
Jacobsen, who died at 93.

Jacobsen had organized the club take care of the park in 2005, and the club has since done so by cleaning it up,  filling in holes and cleaning up trash.

This is a great project to continue in Jacobsen’s honor, and we hope other clubs will consider similar projects in the community.

 

To a series of tornadoes reported in central Iowa.

Reports say at least 17 people were injured Thursday after a flurry of unexpected tornadoes swept through central Iowa. The tornadoes flattened buildings in three cities and forced the evacuation of a hospital.

The tornadoes that hit Marshalltown, Pella and Bondurant came by surprise — even to weather forecasters — according to reports.

Marshalltown, a community of about 27,000 people, was hit the hardest. Much of its downtown was damaged.

In Pella, a tornado hit agricultural machinery maker Vermeer Manufacturing, where people were still working at the time. Seven people injured at the plant were treated and released.

We are saddened to see this destruction, and wish all of those affected the best as they now begin to pick up the pieces.

 

To the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department’s encouragement of art endeavors.

Thanks to Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department staff for your persistence and dedication in bringing opportunities for art exploration for our community’s youth.

Though interest has been low for the children’s Artsy Craftsy Camp offered by the city in previous years, we hope more people will jump on board in taking part in these opportunities.

Art gives children the chance to express their feelings and emotions in a safe way and to learn about others with different points of view.

We believe children need more time to explore their creativity.